I am a citizen, not of Athens or Greece but of the world. Socrates

Praxis

PR.aXis is the consultancy established by Pida Ripley encompassing her vast experience in successful event creation and delivery, fundraising, sponsorship, network development, project management, training programmes and corporate advisory and representation services. A proven innovative approach combined with effective delivery guarantees client undertakings, large or small, corporate or non-profit, will be delivered on target and as required.

PR.aXis offer creative conception and innovative development, meticulous planning and successful implementation services.  Agency founder, Pida Ripley, has extensive leadership experience of programme/project development, implementation and evaluation, major event management, partner collaboration, fundraising and marketing communication, grant making and financial reporting. Her administrative expertise in planning, organizing and delivering smooth operational support of numerous conferences, meetings and projects in many countries has garnered accolades from numerous individuals and organizations.

A highly-regarded and innovative leader with outstanding interpersonal, organisational and analytical skills she has demonstrated the distinctive ability to create and successfully deliver diverse high profile special events in both national and international settings.

PR.aXis convert vague ideas into a successful reality. With several decades of successful event planning and delivery experience as well as design and management of major projects and programmes, our specialist teams can provide the necessary planning and logistical support for any event, large or small, national or international.

Portfolio of successful undertakings include:

  • UN related Ambassadorial Galas attended by royalty, diplomats, politicians, and leaders from the corporate, financial, academic and other sectors of society.  Political/diplomatic dinners, receptions & forums.
  • Festivals, premieres, award ceremonies: Royal Gala film premiere for UNICEF; Caucasus Contemporary Music and Film Festival; Women of the World Awards.
  • Multi-media campaigns: development & implementation of global and regional awareness raising campaigns (human rights, environmental, health, gender, end violence, child rights and protection.) Stakeholder engagement.
  • Exhibitions, conferences & meetings, national and international (corporate, charity, arts, environment, health.)
  • Project development and implementation, commodity procurement, transportation, warehousing and distribution procedures. Training workshops.
  • Created concept papers which led to successful development of fully budgeted programme applications and implemented corporate development strategies.
  • Industry/business forums. Corporate communication. Lead generation. Product launch.Press/media advisory services. Written multiple press articles and information papers on a wide variety of issues, many published globally. Scripted and developed many Public Service Announcements (PSA), TV/radio special interest programmes.
  • Big gift fund-raising. Trust approaches, corporate engagement and  sponsorship, direct marketing, special appeals.

 

PR.aXis …  feedback

Director of Development, Royal Institute International Affairs (RIIA)

Pida Ripley came to ‘Chatham House’ as the Director of Development some three years ago … I am in no doubt that Pida Ripley made a very great contribution to the future of the Royal Institute.

As a successful fundraiser, she must surely be in the highest league. As a person she has earned my deep admiration. If I was ever again concerned with fundraising and corporate development, there is only one person to whom I would turn. She is Pida Ripley.

Admiral Sir James Eberle, Former Director Royal Institute of International Affairs (Chatham House).
1991-former Supreme Commander of NATO and a former Commander-in-Chief Fleet (CINC).

Pida devised a five year fundraising global strategy, the Chatham House Campaign … within nine months had £1,000,000 to its credit. She invented a number of ingenious fund-raising schemes for Fellowships, Library Patronage … most recently Pida has played the leading part in securing considerable corporate support for a new Soviet Business Forum.  One of Mrs Ripley’s most marked talents is for the cultivation of contacts and the organization of high-profile ceremonial and social events.

Professor Lawrence Martin, Director Royal Institute of International Affairs (Chatham House). 1992

NB: As the first Director of Development, one of four directors at Chatham House, Pida Ripley created the prestigious RTZ/RIIA Annual Summer Receptions held in the St James Square Gardens drawing in high profile leaders from all sectors of society.

Hosted by the RTZ Corporation and The Royal Institute of International Affairs (Chatham House).

Executive Director, Association AV Business Communicators.

Pida has great ability in creating effective systems and ensuring the highest possible standards throughout. Pida has demonstrated great vision and a quick understanding of the way an Association should be developed, particularly in a high-tech industry, which is in itself extremely challenging. She is a very good communicator, has creative ideas and is a full driving force, ensuring that deadlines and objectives are achieved.

J. Michael Saville, Chairman, Association Business Communicators (ABC) 1994

We are very grateful for the work that Pida Ripley has done for us in streamlining ABC and in focusing on clearly defined objectives.  We all wish her a speedy recovery from her dreadful injuries and hope that she will maintain contact with us.

Robert Simpson, Chairman, Association Business Communicators (ABC) 1995

A Caviar General of Fundraising for the United Nations Association-UK and UN agencies. 1975 - 95

Amusingly referred to as one of UK’s ‘Caviar Generals’ by Tina Browne, editor Tatler, in 1975 Pida Ripley was asked to organise a national event to mark the 30th Anniversary of the founding of the United Nations.

This led to over 15 years of voluntary fund-raising, creating and organising high profile society and United Nations related events. Ambassadorial balls, diplomatic receptions and UN annual dinners, Unicef Royal Gala Film Premiere, 40th Anniversary of the United Nations, 40th Anniversary of India’s Independence. Award events, conferences and so forth...all made possible by energising hundreds of volunteers to donate their time and expertise.

 


Mr & Mrs Peter Ustinov attending the Gala

UNICEF Royal Gala Film Premiere

I would like to express the deepest gratitude for giving us a marvellous First Night, for MEMED, MY HAWK, by organising the Royal Gala in aid of UNICEF.

Our film had the opportunity of being launched with a fabulous and glittering occasion and both Peter Ustinov and I feel we have been extremely lucky in that you agreed to take that enormous task on at a moment’s notice and turned it into the prestigious night that...through your unique efforts the premiere, both at the theatre and at Maxims, as well as the prestigious souvenir programme you produced -the children of UNICEF benefited from this event.

Fuad Kavur, Director, Peter Ustinov Productions Ltd. May 1984.

 

The UNA Diplomatic Banquet

The UNA Diplomatic banquet organised by Pida Ripley, with American guest speaker, US Ambassador to the UN, Andrew Young.  “The occasion was a splendid one that did credit to its organizers and achieved its purpose in enabling many distinguished Britons to see “the other side” of Andy Young."

Arthur L. Gavshon, Diplomatic Correspondent for Europe, Associated Press.  18.05.1978


Chairman, Pida Ripley with F&CO Minister Lord Goronwy Roberts, Dame Judith Hart, Minister ODA, Baroness Diane Elles, Rt. Hon.Jeremy Thorpe, M.P.,Leader Liberal Party, US Ambassador to the UN, Andrew Young.

A note to congratulate you on the marvellous evening that you organised for us all last night - a delightful way to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. Well done!

Marion Roe M.P. October 25 1985

I have known Pida Ripley for many years and can vouch for her great ability in the organisation of successful official functions such as this would be. I do hope it can be fitted into President Yeltsin’s programme.

The Rt.Hon. Lord Ennals to Richard Powell, Eastern Dept, Foreign & Commonwealth Office   12.03.1992


HRH The Princess of Wales talking with Pida Ripley

The Princess of Wales has asked me to say how much she enjoyed the Women of the World Awards lunch yesterday and ...Her Royal Highness was most impressed by the variety of winning projects and was very pleased to see and hear how individuals have helped the plight of women in the third world.  

Miss Anne Beckwith-Smith, Lady-in-Waiting, Kensington Palace, 17.10.89

Thank you for inviting me to the 1993 Women of the World Awards. I thought it was a very impressive occasion. I am glad that the evening was so obviously a success.

Marjorie Mowlam, M.P. 10.06.1993

“I would like to congratulate you on the tremendous success and most enjoyable evening...everyone I made contact with had the same comment, together with the hope that this would become an annual event.

John Surtees, Formula One and Grand Prix Motorcycle World Champion, December 1977

“Dear Pida, I congratulate you on getting the UN special days onto the CNN Events Notice Board. I would not have thought it possible to do that from London, even if I had been aware of this CNN feature.”

Graeme Warner, Director UN Information Centre, London.       18.02.1993

“Peacekeeper Films is a Canadian production company which is currently developing Peacekeepers, a 13 episode documentary television series focusing on the lives of courageous individuals helping others in devastated areas of the world.

We learned of WomenAid while researching…and believe that the work that has been done is extraordinary.”

Peacekeeper Films, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

NB: Multiple unsolicited testimonials are on record, testifying to the expertise, creativity and professionalism of Pida Ripley.

PR.aXis   Contact: PR.aXis [at] pidaripley.com